So. I've had Bel's Palsy this summer and learned that actually it's quite common. Has anyone else here had it/does anyone currently have it. I still have traces of it but mine is going now...

tijn01

Although I have never had Bell's palsy myself, as a physiotherapist I have treated quite a few people suffering from it. Bells palsy is a condition that causes the facial muscles to weaken or become paralyzed. It's caused by trauma to the 7th cranial nerve (n. facialis) , and is not permanent. It can be rather anoying for the time being though!!

bambholebaba

The most common cause of bell's palsy is pressure over facial nerve due to oedema in the cource of the nerve while comming out of cranial cavity,in viscinity of middle ear. So in otitis media it is often associated. But due to quick and effective treatment thease days incidence has fallen to the bottom.
On the whole if it is not due to some unusual cause, it is completely recoverable condition. But then, the paralysis of facial muscles can make any sofisticated persion go mad !!!!

secret_soul

God I know! I went insane for the first week or so and it totally ruined my whole summer. I've had it for about 11 weeks now, I think. Which is more than enough if you ask me...

magnustoday

The prognosis of Bell's palsy is related to the severity of the lesion. A simple rule is that clinically incomplete lesions tend to recover. The prognosis is favorable if some recovery is seen within the first 21 days of onset.

In severe cases of Bell's palsy, the cornea may be at risk because of poor eye lid closure and reduced tearing. Proper eye care measures should be implemented.

For all patients with Bell's palsy, we recommend early treatment with oral glucocorticoids. Treatment should preferably begin within three days of symptom onset. Our suggested regimen is prednisone (60 to 80 mg/day) for one week. For the subgroup of patients with severe facial palsy, we suggest early combined therapy with prednisone (60 to 80 mg per day) plus valacyclovir (1000 mg three times daily) for one week rather than glucocorticoids alone.